LA’s road trip doesn’t get any easier as the Lakers (8-3) prepare to play the defending champions, the Thunder (10-1), on Wednesday. This is the first time these two teams will face each other this season,
as they will meet four times during the regular season.
Start time and TV schedule
Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
When: 6:30 p.m. PT, Nov. 12
Where: Paycom Center
Watch: ESPN, Spectrum Sportsnet
After regaining momentum in the win against the Hornets, the Lakers have a huge test ahead of them as they’re going to be challenged by the Thunder. With this challenge comes an early opportunity for the Lakers to measure how far or close they are compared to the current best team in basketball.
The outcome of this matchup will significantly depend on who suits up. The Thunder will be playing on the second night of a back-to-back, so the status of players like Lu Dort, Jalen Williams, Aaron Wiggins and Kenrich Williams is very much in question.
Still, given OKC’s depth, they’re very much capable of beating anyone regardless of who suits up. Just look at how OKC demolished the Golden State Warriors 126-102 on Tuesday night.
As for the Lakers, the injury report is at its shortest it’s been, so that’s definitely good news for the purple and gold.
They will need most, if not all, their players to step up on Wednesday night. That obviously starts with Luka Dončić, who has had a history of success in the Paycom Center.
His matchup against reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be the highlight of this game as well. Both superstars often bring their A-game when they face each other, so this should be an entertaining battle.
But more than anything, this is a game the Lakers should do everything to win, not just because it’ll be a huge confidence boost, but in order to make a statement that they are an elite team.
Los Angeles’ perimeter scoring will be tested the most, but if they shoot well enough, get contributions from across the board and one of those superhuman-like games from Dončić, then they should have a chance to win this one.
Besides having the best defense in the league, the Thunder also rank fifth in scoring (122.4), fifth in rebounding (48.1) and second in steals generated (10.5) a game.
They barely turn the ball over and are considered statistically the most efficient team in the association. Game planning against this team should be a fun test for Redick, who will need his defense to be in tip-top form.
The Lakers know that the Thunder are the best team in basketball, and how they compete in this one will say a lot about their approach to the start of the season.
Realistically speaking, it’s not a must-win game, but it might as well be if Los Angeles wants to be a threat not just to the Thunder but also to everyone in the league. Let’s see if the Lakers can do just that on Wednesday.
Notes and Updates
- For the Lakers’ injury report, LeBron James (right sciatica), Adou Theiro (left knee surgery) and Gabe Vincent (left ankle sprain) are out.
- The Thunder haven’t released a report because they’ll be playing on the second night of a back-to-back. But expect Lu Dort (right upper trap strain), Jalen Williams (right wrist recovery), Aaron Wiggins (left adductor strain), Kenrich Williams (left knee surgical recovery), Thomas Sorber (ACL recovery) and Nikola Topic (surgical recovery) to likely be out.
- Note that Chet Holmgren hasn’t played in back-to-back games much since last season, so his status for Wednesday’s game is up in the air as well.
You can follow Nicole on Twitter at @nicoleganglani.
